The Redding leaders of the Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT), Stuart Green and David Pattee, led an October 28 hike on the Wilton Loop, a showcase trail for the NRVT. First Selectman Julia Pemberton and a group of a dozen Redding residents joined the hike.

Stuart Green said, “It’s great to see the growing enthusiasm for the Redding Mile, the first leg of the NRVT in our town. We want Redding to become the first equestrian section of the NRVT.”

The Redding Mile, running from Fire Hill to Pickett’s Ridge Road, is designed and shovel-ready. The cost is estimated at $265,000. Three grants have been submitted, with $36,000 raised to date, leaving $229,000 to be raised for construction to begin in 2018.

Julia Pemberton said, “The NRVT will be a great addition to Redding. We had a great hike on the Wilton Loop, a beautifully built trail, and would love to see the Redding Mile come to life.”

The Wilton Loop is very popular, with the CT Trail Census counting over four thousand people a month using the trail.

David Pattee said, “The 13 year vision of a 38-mile, multi-use trail is now becoming a reality in Norwalk, Wilton and Ridgefield. Redding needs to be next.”